By: Rachel Cahill Consultant for Cuyahoga County’s Benefits Access Partnership Background On October 3, the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published a proposed rule that would impose a standardized methodology for calculating the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) for SNAP.[1] The SUA plays an important role determining a household’s total shelter expenses, which in turn, significantly...
Category: Advancing the Well-Being of Older Adults
November 11, 2019
The Council on Older Persons advocates, leads on senior issues
The Council on Older Persons (COOP) has been a standing committee of The Center for Community Solutions for more than 70 years. As we look back at 2019, COOP continues to distinguish itself as a leading destination for information about senior issues, and a vocal advocate for local seniors. Under the leadership of outgoing COOP...
November 4, 2019
County council HHSA committee hears update as foster care costs soar
The October 16 meeting of the Cuyahoga County Health, Human Services and Aging committee saw presentations from two community organizations, and also considered several contracts, one of which expands the number of providers in the foster-care system. The number of children in foster care has soared to more than 2,900 children currently in out-of-home care,...
September 16, 2019
Many of Ohio’s older adults are actively engaged in the workforce
Earlier this summer, the Associated Press released a poll that showed 1 in 4 Americans do not plan to retire. This got me thinking about what older adults in Ohio are thinking about their own employment. Fortunately, we have some data about this very issue handy to look at. In the past four years, The Center...
July 17, 2019
State budget adds Adult Protective Services increase
Given Ohio’s rapidly aging population and Governor Mike DeWine’s commitment to health and human services, The Center for Community Solutions is pleased by the General Assembly’s choice to increase the adult protective services (APS) line-item. The Center for Community Solutions is pleased by the General Assembly’s choice to increase the adult protective services line-item. The...
June 17, 2019
Ohio Commemorates World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Ensuring health and safety has been a concern of The Center for Community Solutions since its inception in 1913 when it was called The Federation for Charity and Philanthropy. Over the decades, our organization played key roles in creating and monitoring the implementation of state and local laws and protocols to protect Ohio residents. Today,...
June 3, 2019
Conference on Black Aging Reconvened After 10-Year Hiatus
More than 100 people, including advocates and organizational representatives, packed the multipurpose room at the A.M. McGregor Home in East Cleveland, on May 17 for the 2019 Anna V. Brown conference. The conference is named in honor of Brown, who was the first director for the Cleveland Office on Aging. It is meant to discuss...
April 29, 2019
What does Ohio legislative district data tell us about older adults and people with disabilities?
The Center for Community Solutions’ state legislative district profiles provide a wealth of economic, health, demographic and educational information that can sometimes explain how a state legislator might view the world and the issues they might focus during their legislative service. Last year I was appointed by Governor John Kasich to serve on the Ohio...
March 26, 2019
Community Solutions’ Budget Priorities
February 11, 2019
A lifetime of lead exposure
When elevated blood lead levels are in the news, it is typically related to the youngest members of our community. Children aged 5 and under tend to suffer the most devastating and permanent consequences of lead poisoning. Reporters at Cleveland’s Plain Dealer newspaper have consistently reported on the conditions that result in elevated blood levels...